Medicare Part A

Medicare Supplement Insurance, also known as “Medigap”, fills in gaps in Original Medicare and is offered by private companies.

Traditional Medicare plans cover many healthcare services but not all. They do not cover all costs for covered healthcare services and supplies. A Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) policy can help pay some of the remaining healthcare costs, including:

• Copayments
• Coinsurance
• Deductibles

Medicare Supplement Insurance works alongside Original Medicare, which includes Medicare Part A – hospital insurance, and Medicare Part B – medical insurance. Medicare Part A covers inpatient care received in a hospital, skilled nursing facility, hospice care, and, in certain circumstances, home health care. Most people become automatically eligible for Medicare Part A when they reach the age of 65, especially if they are already receiving retirement benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board. A person may also qualify for Medicare Part A before age 65 if they have a disability, end-stage renal disease (ESRD), or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). To be eligible for Medicare Part A, you must be a United States citizen or a legal permanent resident who has lived in the U.S. for at least five consecutive years.

Medicare Part A covers:

• Inpatient hospital care
• Skilled nursing facility care (not custodial or long-term care)
• Home health care services
• Hospice care

Medicare Part A beneficiaries receive coverage for hospital expenses essential to inpatient care, including semi-private rooms, nursing services, meals, medications related to inpatient treatment, and other hospital services and supplies. Part A also covers inpatient care provided through:

• Critical access hospitals
• Acute care hospitals
• Long-term care hospitals
• Inpatient mental health care
• Inpatient rehabilitation facilities
• Participation in clinical research studies

Medicare Part A does not cover the costs of a private room (unless medically necessary), private-duty nursing, personal care items like shampoo, or entertainment services such as television and telephone. It also does not cover the cost of blood. You do not pay for blood if the hospital receives it from a blood bank at no charge. However, if the hospital purchases blood for you, you are responsible for the cost of the first three units.

Medicare Part A Costs

In Medicare Part A, most people do not pay a monthly premium for hospital insurance coverage if they or their spouse paid Medicare taxes while working. You will receive premium-free Part A at age 65 if:

• You are receiving retirement benefits from Social Security
• You are receiving benefits from the Railroad Retirement Board
• You or your spouse had Medicare-covered government employment

If you’re under 65, you can also get premium-free Medicare Part A if:

• You have a disability and have received Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board disability benefits for 24 months
• You have end-stage renal disease (ESRD)
• You have amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)

If you are not eligible for premium-free Part A, you can purchase it. In 2025, the monthly premium is:

• $518 if you paid Medicare taxes for less than 30 quarters
• $285 if you paid Medicare taxes for 30–39 quarters

Part A hospital inpatient costs and coinsurance in 2025 include a $1,676 deductible for each benefit period. Coinsurance includes:

• Days 1–60: $0 per benefit period after the deductible is met
• Days 61–90: $419 per day of each benefit period
• Days 91 and beyond: $838 per each “lifetime reserve day” after day 90 (up to 60 days over your lifetime)
• After lifetime reserve days are used: All costs

Medicare Part A Enrollment

You are automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A if you are receiving Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board benefits when you turn 65. Your Medicare Part A coverage starts on the first day of the month you turn 65. If your birthday is on the first day of the month, your coverage begins the month before you turn 65. The optimal time to enroll in a Medicare plan is during your 6-month Medigap open enrollment period, which starts the month you are both 65 or older and enrolled in Part B. During this period, you have access to better pricing and more policy options.

Medicare Part A Eligibility

You are eligible for Medicare Part A if:

• You are age 65 or older and a U.S. citizen
• You are a legal resident who has lived in the U.S. for at least five consecutive years
• You are receiving retirement benefits
• You are disabled and receiving disability benefits
• You have end-stage renal disease (ESRD)
• You have amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)

Medicare Part A Premiums

Most Medicare Part A beneficiaries do not pay a premium if they worked at least ten years and paid Medicare taxes during that time. Individuals who are not eligible for premium-free Medicare Part A can enroll in Part A and pay a premium. Four ways to pay your premium:

• Pay online via your Medicare account using a credit or debit card
• Set up automatic payments from your bank savings account
• Use Medicare Easy Pay, a free service that automatically deducts your premium payments from your savings or checking account each month
• Mail a check to Medicare